Shop Philly’s independent bookstores
Your neighborhood bookstore isn’t just a place to buy books. It’s a community hub, a refuge, a spot for great coffee, and even greater conversation.
As an early literacy campaign, we view independent bookstores as essential to our mission. Yes, most of our work centers around connecting families to free resources. But we also know growing stronger readers takes honoring literary traditions and tapping into the power of community. Whether you buy, browse, or just pass by, the bookstore stands as a signal that this neighborhood celebrates readers. And that's a message our children need to hear at every turn.
So, if you're looking for your next read, shop small and explore this map of Philly’s independent bookstores.
Before a child can learn to read, they have to believe their story belongs on the page.
What does effective reading tutoring look like in Philadelphia? Researcher Kendall LaParo explores the gap between evidence-based practice and the real-world challenges of helping students learn to read.
Toya Algarin has a simple, radical idea: the best reading teachers may already be at home. And they might be grandmothers.
When a parent can't read, a child notices. And that child is more likely to struggle too.
Your words matter just as much as your materials.
This graphic makes the science of reading clear and helps families, schools, and communities speak the same language.
Philadelphia once had nearly 200 school librarians, now it has two. This is how the city lost them and how we can bring them back.
In a night of celebration and action, Read by 4th partners came together to fight for every child’s right to read.
From struggling reader to community leader, Jazmine is making sure more children have the support they need to thrive.
We can’t talk about the early literacy crisis without being real about something else: the adult literacy crisis.